Bicycle pump

ABSTRACT

A bicycle pump having illuminating devices for enabling it to be used in the dark, which includes a pump portion, a nozzle and a pressure gauge mounted on the body portion, the pressure gauge having an inlet connected to a lower end of the pump body and an outlet connected to the nozzle, the improvement wherein the pressure gauge is provided with a first illuminating means, and the nozzle is provided with a second illuminating means therein. The nozzle has an upper end provided with an illuminating seat in which is fitted the second illuminating means. The illuminating seat has a cover engageable with one side of the nozzle and the rear end of the illuminating seat being provided with a switch for controlling power supplied from batteries to the second illuminating means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Technical Field of the Invention

This invention is related to a bicycle pump, and in particular to one which can be conveniently used at night.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

The conventional bicycle pump does not have any illuminating means for use at night. Hence, unless the user brings a flashlight or something similar, she/he must operate the bicycle pump to fill air into the tire in the dark at night by using her/his hands to feel the way because of poor visibility. However, depending on poor road conditions, it will be very difficult to maintain the correct pressure filled into the tire thereby often causing flat tire when traveling.

It is expected that the bicycle pump should be lightweight and simple in construction. It should not does not have any unnecessary attachments. A bicycle pump with a pressure gauge is an inevitable equipment for a bicycle rider who has to travel for a long distance. Nevertheless, none of the bicycle pumps on the market can fulfill the need for using at night.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bicycle pump which can obviate and mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to a bicycle pump which can be used in the dark.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a bicycle pump which includes a pump portion, a nozzle and a pressure gauge mounted on the body portion, the pressure gauge having an inlet connected to a lower end of the pump body and an outlet connected to the nozzle, characterized in that the pressure gauge is provided with a first illuminating means, and the nozzle is provided with a second illuminating means therein.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bicycle pump wherein the nozzle has an upper end provided with an illuminating seat in which is fitted the second illuminating means, and the illuminating seat has a cover engageable with one side of the nozzle and the rear end of the illuminating seat being provided with a switch for controlling power supplied from batteries to the second illuminating means.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bicycle pump wherein the pressure gauge has a housing in which are installed a plurality of batteries kept within the housing by a battery cover via a screw, the first illuminating means having two illuminating elements mounted at two opposite positions in the housing and connected to the switch, the switch having an upper end extending upwardly through a top of the housing.

The foregoing objects and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle pump according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the interior structure of the nozzle of the bicycle pump;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the nozzle;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the nozzle;

FIG. 5 illustrates the arrangement of the illuminating device in the pressure gauge;

FIG. 6 illustrates the arrangement of the illuminating device in the pressure gauge, with the battery cover fastened in place;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the pressure gauge mounting with a pointer and a transparent panel; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of the pressure gauge mounting with a positioning collar for keeping the transparent panel in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, the bicycle pump 11 according to the present invention comprises a pump body 111, a nozzle 13 and a pressure gauge 12. The pressure gauge 12 is mounted on the pump body 111 of the bicycle pump 11. The inlet of the pressure gauge 12 is connected to the lower end of the pump body 111 via a tube (shown but not numbered). The outlet of the pressure gauge 12 is connected to the nozzle 13 via a tube (shown but not numbered). An LED (light-emitting diode) is mounted inside the pressure gauge 12. An LED is fitted within the nozzle 13.

FIG. 2 illustrates the interior structure of the nozzle 13. FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the nozzle 13. FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the nozzle 13. As shown, the nozzle 13 comprises a tube 131, an illuminating seat 14 on the upper portion of the nozzle 13, and a cover 141 engageable with one side of the nozzle 13. The rear end of the illuminating seat 14 is provided with a switch 142 for controlling the power supplied from batteries 143 to the LED 144. When the switch 142 is turned on, the LED 144 will send out light through the nozzle 13.

FIG. 5 illustrates the arrangement of the illuminating device in the pressure gauge 12. FIG. 6 illustrates the arrangement of the illuminating device in the pressure gauge 12, with the battery cover fastened in place. FIG. 7 illustrates the top view of the pressure gauge 12 mounting with a pointer and a transparent panel. FIG. 8 illustrates the top view of the pressure gauge 12 mounting with a positioning collar for keeping the transparent panel in place. The pressure gauge 12 has a housing 121 in which are installed a cylinder 15 and a telescopic screw rod 16 which is drivingly connected with an axle 17 of the pointer. A plurality of batteries 122 are fitted in a corner of the housing 121 and kept in position by a battery cover 123 via a screw 124. Two illuminating devices 125 are mounted at two opposite positions in the housing 121 and connected to two electrodes of the batteries 122 and the switch 126. Except the switch 126, the other components are mounted under the dial 127. The upper end of the switch 126 extends upwardly through the dust cover 129 and the transparent panel for pressing operation.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 

1. In a bicycle pump having a pump portion, a nozzle and a pressure gauge mounted on said body portion, said pressure gauge having an inlet connected to a lower end of said pump body and an outlet connected to said nozzle, the improvement wherein said pressure gauge is provided with a first illuminating means, and said nozzle is provided with a second illuminating means therein.
 2. The bicycle pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein said nozzle has an upper end provided with an illuminating seat in which is fitted said second illuminating means, said illuminating seat having a cover engageable with one side of said nozzle, a rear end of said illuminating seat being provided with a switch for controlling power supplied from batteries to said second illuminating means.
 3. The bicycle pump as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pressure gauge has a housing in which are installed a plurality of batteries kept within said housing by a battery cover via a screw, said first illuminating means having two illuminating elements mounted at two opposite positions in said housing and connected to said switch, said switch having an upper end extending upwardly through a top of said housing. 